And you have your packets of seeds ready to go because:
A) you are super-organized and ordered them early,
or, like me,
B) have plenty left over from last year that did not get planted (spinach!),
or perhaps
C) you planted heirlooms and saved your own seed (A+ for sustainability!)
or
D) all of the above (seed junkie!)
You see them at the store, taunting you: "Buy Me."
(and me and me and me.....)
But you have only so much space to start seeds inside.
Not enough for everything you want to start.
And maybe no grow light, or only one, or no sunny windows, or bad luck starting seeds.
And anyway, it's too early.
Nope. Wrong.
Start some anyway. Now.
Not Inside,
Outside.
Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
Annuals and Perennials.
Yes, you can.
It is called winter sowing, and right now, this weekend, you can get started.
But there is a hitch: You need to do this in containers that have a lid.
Find some.
Examples:
Gallon water or milk jugs,
Plastic take-out containers,
Plastic shoe boxes
You get it.
I am not going to write a winter sowing primer here on this blog, instead, I'm going to point you toward those who have already written about it and let you have fun learning more.
the place you want to start.
the seed lists
Franklin, Ma is in zone 6A
(yes, it changed, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map)
The Winter Sowing Discussion Forum on Dave's Garden
be prepared to get hooked.
Kevin Lee Jacobs in Connecticut has done an excellent job listing which vegetables can be winter-sown in February, March, and April on his site
He is in the same zone as Franklin, 5B-6A
Here's the post:
According to Jacobs, these vegetables and herbs can be winter-sown in January and February:
Spinach
Kale
Brussels sprouts
Peas
Broccoli
Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme)
Salvia (common sage)
Oregano
Cilantro
You can even winter sow tomatoes next month and they will be hardier for it.
Are you inspired? Good.
Now go forth and sow.
have fun,
-Amy
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